Olenekian
| Olenekian | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Name formality | Formal | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Celestial body | Earth | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Regional usage | Global (ICS) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time scale(s) used | ICS Time Scale | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Chronological unit | Age | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stratigraphic unit | Stage | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time span formality | Formal | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lower boundary definition | Not formally defined | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lower boundary definition candidates | FAD of the Conodont Neospathodus waageni | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lower boundary GSSP candidate section(s) | Mud (Muth) village, Spiti valley, India | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Upper boundary definition | Not formally defined | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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In the geologic timescale, the Olenekian is an age in the Early Triassic epoch; in chronostratigraphy, it is a stage in the Lower Triassic series. It spans the time between 249.9 Ma and 246.7 Ma (million years ago). The Olenekian is sometimes divided into the Smithian and the Spathian subages or substages. The Olenekian follows the Induan and is followed by the Anisian (Middle Triassic).
The Olenekian saw the deposition of a large part of the Buntsandstein in Europe. The Olenekian is roughly coeval with the regional Yongningzhenian Stage used in China.